Medano Beach (Playa El Medano)

Medano Beach — known locally as Playa El Medano — is the heart and soul of Cabo San Lucas beach life, and it's the only major swimmable beach in town. While most Cabo beaches have dangerous surf and rip currents, Medano sits on a protected bay with gentle waves that make it safe for kids of all ages to wade, splash, and swim.

The beach stretches about a mile along the bay, lined with restaurants, bars, hotels, and a constant buzz of activity. The western end near Mango Deck and Billygan's tends to be the party zone with loud music and a college-spring-break vibe, so families with young kids should head to the eastern end of the beach where it's mellower. You'll find a mix of locals and tourists, beach vendors selling everything from silver jewelry to fresh fruit, and a parade of boats heading out to El Arco.

Water sports are huge here. You can rent jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and banana boats right from operators on the sand. Glass-bottom boat tours and water taxis to Lover's Beach depart from the waterline. For younger kids, the shallow, bathwater-warm water near shore is basically a giant natural wading pool.

Beach chair and umbrella rentals run about $10-15 each, often bundled with a minimum food/drink purchase at a beachfront restaurant. If you're on a budget, bring your own setup and claim a spot on the free sections of sand between the restaurant zones. Restrooms are available at the beachfront restaurants — just buy a drink and they'll let you use the facilities.

Medano Beach is walkable from downtown Cabo and the marina area. Street parking is limited, so many families walk from their hotel or take a short taxi ride. The beach is at its best in the morning when the water is calmest and the sand hasn't heated up to scorching temperatures yet.